Gas valve-switch assembly

Abstract

A detachable gas valve--switch assembly intended especially for a domestic gas range, in which the valve includes a body has a control element movable by a rotatable valve stem and the switch having a contact operating means rotatable by the stem. The switch is constructed and arranged for releasable retention in a position closely adjacent the front end of a gas valve. It is also apertured for mounting on the stem and for movement in one direction axially of the stem to said position and in the opposite direction for removal from said position. The switch and valve include axially extending resiliently engageable quick attach-detach coupling structure of novel construction for releasably and firmly retaining said switch axially in said position upon movement in one direction into said position, and includes also switch contact operating means engageable with said driving portion of said stem when in said position. Movement in the opposite direction disengages the switch retention and contact operating means. The coupling structure is novel in and of itself.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A gas valve-electrical switch assembly comprising a gas valve including a body with an apertured end wall and a rotatable control element having a rotatable stem having a driving portion projecting through said wall, an electrical switch including a body, a rear wall positionable closely adjacent the body end wall and a contact operating cam rotatable by said driving portion of the stem when the body and switch walls are positioned, adjacent each other, said valve and switch assembly having structure of the quick connect-disconnect type including axially extending radially biased means on one engageable with the other releasably to hold the valve and switch firmly in said adjacent position and the switch operating cam drivingly engageable with the driving portion of the stem upon relative axial movement of the valve and switch toward said adjacent position and disengageable upon movement in the opposite direction. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said radially biased means includes a tubular stem encircling portion having angularly spaced apart axially extending spring fingers. 
     
     
       3. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein said spring fingers have an axial length no greater than width of the switch. 
     
     
       4. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein said fingers have free terminal portions with radially inwardly extending claws. 
     
     
       5. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the switch includes front and rear housing parts, the fingers are in the rear part and extend from the interior rearwardly to near the rear wall. 
     
     
       6. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cam is located forwardly of the axially extending radially biased means of the switch. 
     
     
       7. A gas valve-electrical switch assembly comprising a gas valve including a body with an apertured front wall, a movable flow control element and a rotatable stem operatively connected to said element including a driving portion projecting through said wall, and an electrical switch including a body having a back wall movable with the switch to an assembled position with its back wall closely adjacent the front wall of the body and having also a switch operating element rotatable by said driving portion of the stem in said assembled position, said valve and switch having quick attach-detach coupling means comprising coupling structures associated therewith engageable with each other releasably to retain the valve and switch in assembled relation and to provide driving engagement between said driving portion of the stem and said switch operating element upon relative axial movement of the valve and switch in one direction into said position, said coupling structures being disengageable upon relative movement of the switch and valve in the opposite direction. 
     
     
       8. An electrical switch for releasable retention in a position closely adjacent the front end of a gas valve having structure including an operating stem rotatable about an axis and with a forward driving portion, characterized in that said switch is apertured for movement in one direction axially of the stem to said position and in the opposite direction for removal from said position, said switch including axially extending quick attach-detach structure resiliently engageable with said valve structure for releasably and firmly retaining said switch axially in said position upon movement into said position, and including also switch contact operating means engageable with said driving portion of said stem when in said position. 
     
     
       9. An electrical switch for releasable axial attachment to a gas valve having switch retention structure and a rotatable gas flow controlling axially extending drive stem, characterized in that said, switch includes switch retaining and driving means of the quick attach-detach type encircling and axially movable relative to the stem and retention structure, said driving means being movable with said switch toward the valve and its retention structure detachably to retain the switch in assembled relation to the valve and to connect the driving means to the stem upon axial movement in one direction and to do the reverse upon axial movement in the opposite direction. 
     
     
       10. An electrical switch for attachment to a gas valve having a stem with a rotatable portion projecting through a cap attached to the front end of the valve by cap screws projecting forward of the valve and having also first coupling structure at its front end attachable with second coupling structure upon axial movement of said structures toward each other, characterized in that said switch comprises a two part housing of insulating material, movable electrical contacts in said housing, a contact operating cam mounted for rotation in said housing parts, a rear part of the switch housing being locatable in a position closely adjacent the cap and having recesses for reception of the projecting portions of the cap screws, thereby to prevent angular movement of said switch housing in said position, said switch also including second coupling structure of the quick attach-detach type adapted to be coupled to the first coupling structure and the contact operating cam being adapted to be drivingly to be coupled to said rotatable portion of the stem when the switch is located in said position. 
     
     
       11. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 10 wherein the contact operating cam is located forward of the switch second coupling structure. 
     
     
       12. An electrical switch for attachment to a gas valve having a stem with a rotable portion projecting through the front of the valve and having projecting headed cap screws and first coupling structure at the front of the valve engageable with other coupling structure upon axial movement of said structures toward each other into an adjacent position and detachable on reverse axial movement, characterized in that said switch includes a housing of insulating material, movable electrical contacts in said housing, a contact operating cam rotatable in said housing, the rear portion of the switch housing being locatable adjacent the front of the valve and having recesses for reception of the projecting portions of the cap screws to prevent angular movement of said switch housing, and said switch includes second coupling structure of the quick attach-detach type adapted relatively tightly to be axially coupled in said adjacent position to the coupling structure at the front of the valve against reverse uncoupling movement, and contact operating means adapted to be drivingly coupled to said rotatable portion of the stem where the switch and valve are in said adjacent position. 
     
     
       13. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 12 wherein the first coupling structure is constituted by an axially extending tubular bushing with a circumferentially extending bead or collar having a part facing the valve, and said switch is further characterized in that said second coupling structure includes an apertured portion slidable on the bushing, said portion including a number of axially extending spring fingers movable over said bead to engage with the part of bead facing the valve. 
     
     
       14. An electrical switch as claimed in claim 13 wherein said spring fingers have downwardly extending claws at their free ends and are tapered in thickness toward the claws.